UAE Imposes Strict Penalties and Up to Dh30,000 Fines for Academic Certificate Forgery

The UAE has issued a stern warning that individuals caught forging academic qualifications could face up to three years in prison alongside fines reaching Dh30,000 ($8,170), amid a growing demand for document verification.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced on Monday that it operates a robust system to monitor and verify the authenticity of credentials issued by higher education institutions both within the UAE and internationally. According to the ministry, these measures are designed to safeguard employers across both the public and private sectors.

While noting that instances of forged qualifications remain limited in the UAE relative to the vast number of certificates processed, officials emphasized zero tolerance for fraud.

"The ministry places the highest priority on safeguarding the credibility of academic qualifications, whether issued within the UAE or abroad," stated Ahmed Al Hammadi, director of the legal affairs department at the ministry. He added that any suspected forgery, manipulation, or alteration of certificate information is handled through approved legal procedures and referred to competent judicial authorities whenever a criminal offence is suspected.

The scale of document processing has surged significantly, with the ministry handling 178,600 qualification verification requests in 2025, a figure that climbed to 253,000 by the beginning of September 2026. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining educational integrity, the ministry urged all public and private sector employers to actively verify the authenticity of academic credentials.

Under Article 252 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 concerning Crimes and Penalties, individuals convicted of forging an official document face up to 10 years in prison, whereas forgery of an unofficial document is punishable by detention. To combat this issue, the ministry collaborates closely with the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Public Prosecution, and local prosecution authorities.